Street Preacher

An artist studies the human expression of another human being or, more exactly, their physical expression. Of course, the soul is in there somewhere, orchestrating the expressions, but how can an artist draw a soul? The physical expression is the only way to attempt to capture something that the soul is trying to express. I can be talking with someone and get so interested in their facial expression that the verbal conversation becomes non-existent.

Here below are a few images that are composites of people I have seen over many years of studying faces in the Southern United States. I call them “Louisiana Faces” because they were done while in Louisiana, where I was born and raised. They all come from my imagination and memory of faces I have seen or studied over many years. No one sat down for me to draw these faces. None of the drawings are of particular people. This drawing is from a series of drawings called, "Louisiana Faces".

Art of Ray Istre

Ray Istre was born in 1957, in Crowley, Louisiana, and has been doing art since childhood. He began drawing and progressed into painting and print making while working at his Uncles Printing Shop, where a proof press was available to make prints. He went to LSU on an art scholarship. More of his work can be seen at www.rayistre.com

The artist is currently Working on Art of Bitcoin Mixed Media Paintings. His political art can be seen on Kitco.com, the #1 precious metals web site in the world. He did the first poster (portraits) for the Dixie Chicks commissioned by Laura Lynch and painted a mural featuring Ted Nugent commissioned by a friend of his. The artist did an album cover portrait of Tom Netherton, of the Lawrence Welk Show for WORD Records as well as murals, portraits and original art for over the past 40+ years.

The art work below is available for purchase in the form of Framed Prints, Stretched Canvas in various sizes and Coffee Mugs. Click on image to follow links and order. To discuss buying the original art with bitcoin, contact the artist by email: ray@rayistre.com. Thank you.